House Supports Bill Reforming Public Housing

WASHINGTON — The House approved a measure Wednesday that would dramatically change the nation’s public-housing system by giving local authorities greater flexibility and power in administering public housing and rental subsidies for 6.5 million poor families.

The measure, passed on a 293-to-132 vote, faces an uncertain future. Last week, the Senate Banking Committee approved a more-modest bill, and similar differences resulted in a stalemate between House and Senate negotiators as last year’s congressional session ended, killing the effort.

This year, though, backers of overhauling public housing said they hope a compromise can be reached. The Clinton administration said it supports the goal of the House bill, but objects to various provisions. Supporters said it was intended to help public-housing residents move toward self-sufficiency and away from dependency on government aid.

“This legislation is less about shelter than it is about the creation of an environment where we can begin to sucessfully address poverty,” said Rep. Rick A. Lazio (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Banking subcommittee on housing and the bill’s prime sponsor.

The bill would change the mix of public-housing residents by requiring that 65% of new tenants hold jobs that pay them at least 80% of the area’s median income.